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Old 


Thus  saith  the  Lord,  Stand  ye  in  the  ways 
and  see,  and  ask  for  the  old  paths,  where  Is 
the  good  way,  and  walk  therein,  and  ye 
shall  find  rest  for  your  souls:  but  they  said, 
We  will  not  walk  therein. — Jer.  6-16. 


BY 

JOHN    ZAHND 

1920 


The 
Old  Paths 


Thus  saith  the  Lord,  Stand  ye  in  the  ways 
and  see,  and  ask  for  the  old  paths,  where  is 
the  good  way,  and  walk  therein,  and  ye 
ehall  find  rest  for  your  souls:  but  they  said, 
We  will  not  walk  therein. — Jer.  6-16. 


BT 

JOHN  ZAHND 
1920 

PRICE  25ct.   EACH 
OR  $2.00  PER  DOZEN 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


CHAPTER  1 

SIX  BLIND  MEN 

It  was  six  men  of  Indostan, 
To  learning  much  inclined, 
Who  went  to  see  the  elephant, 
(Though  all  of  them  were  blind), 
That  each  by  observation 
Might  satisfy  his  mind. 

The  first  approached  the  elephant, 

And,  happening  to  fall 

Against  his  broad  and  sturdy  side, 

At  once  began  to  bawl: 

"God  bless  me!  but  the  elephant 

Is  very  like  a  wall !" 

The  second  feeling  of  the  tusk, 

Cried:    "Ho!  What  have  we  here, 

So  very  round,  and  smooth,  and  sharp? 

To  me  'tis  very  clear 

This  wonder  of  an  elephant 

Is  very  like  a  spear!" 

The  third  approached  the  animal, 

And  happening  to  take 

The  squirming  trunk  within  his  hands, 

Thus  boldly  he  spake : 

"I  see,"  quoth  he,  "the  elephant 

Is  very  like  a  snake." 

i 

The  fourth  reached  out  his  eager  hand, 
And  fell  about  the  knee; 
"What  most  this  wondrous  beast  is  like, 
Is  very  plain,"  quoth  he; 
'  'Tis  clear  enough  the  elephant 
Is  very  like  a  tree !" 

The  fifth,  who  chanced  to  touch  the  ear, 

2 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


Said:     "E'en  the  blindest  man 

Can  tell  what  this  resembles  most;  - 

Deny  the  fact  who  can,  <C 

This  marvel  of  an  elephant 

Is  very  like  a  man!" 

The  sixth  no  sooner  had  begun 

About  the  beast  to  grope, 

Than,  seizing  on  the  swinging  tail 

That  fell  within  his  scope, 

"I  see,"  quoth  he,  "the  elephant 

Is  very  like  a  rope!" 

And  so  these  men  of  Indostan 
Disputed  loud  and  long, 
Each  in  his  own  opinion 
Exceeding  stiff  and  strong, 
Though  each  was  partly  in  the  right, 
And  all  were  in  the  wrong! 

We  have  selected  the  above  as  a  fitting  sentiment 
of  expression  to  demonstrate  to  the  mind  of  all  readers 
the  inconsistencies  of  religious,  political  and  fraternal 
divisions  of  thoughts  and  action.  If  the  Gospel  Law  of 
Christ  was  put  into  effect,  we  would  have  only  one  body 
namely  the  Church  of  Christ.  Why  not  comply  with 
His  law? 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


CHAPTER  2 

TRUTH— LAW  OF  SERVICE 

Love  manifesting  a  perfect  and  rounded  life,  is  the 
crown  of  being  and  the  supreme  end  of  knowledge  upon 
the  earth.  A  man's  truth  is  the  measure  of  his  love. 
Truth  is  far  removed  from  him  whose  life  is  not  governed 
by  love.  The  intolerant,  even  if  they  profess  the  highest 
religion,  have  the  smallest  measure  of  truth.  Those  who 
exercise  patience,  listen  calmly  to  all  sides,  and  arrive  at 
and  incline  others  to  thoughtful  and  unbiased  conclu- 
sions on  all  problems  and  issues  of  life,  they  have 
truth  in  the  fullest  measure.  Why  boast  of  truth  when 
continually  swayed  by  grief,  disappointment,  passion, 
and  sink  under  the  first  trial  that  comes  to  you?  Why 
formulate  dogmas  and  call  them  truth?  Truth  cannot 
be  formulated;  it  can  only  be  experienced  by  practice, 
and  manifested  in  a  stainless  heart  and  a  perfect  life. 
Truth  will  not  be  proven  by  arguments  and  learned 
treaties,  for  if  men  do  not  perceive  truth  in  patience, 
forgiveness  and  compassion,  no  words  can  prove  it  to 
them. 

Therefore,  cease  from  vain  arguments  about  truth 
and  think  and  say  and  do  those  things  that  make  har- 
mony, peace,  love  and  good  will.  Practice  heart-virtue, 
search  diligently  for  truth  that  frees  the  soul  from  error, 
sin,  and  all  that  blights  the  human  heart  and  darkens 
with  unending  night  the  pathway  of  those  on  earth.  Fill 
the  mind  with  encouraging  thoughts  as  the  opportunity 
comes  to  you,  cause  others  to  see  and  understand  the  law 
of  "all  things  common."  Try  by  the  means  of  na- 
ture's law  around  you  to  educate  the  mind  in  deep 
thought  for  yourself,  then  mankind  will  respect  you ;  not 
because  of  your  wisdom,  but  because  in  you,  through  you, 
above  you,  and  beyond  you  can  be  seen  the  light  and 
hope  of  a  law  or  condition  where  the  vital  test  of  service 
to  mankind  can  be  set  forth,  where  all  can  enjoy  the 
heaven  of  earth,  where  friends  can  be  true  friends,  where 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


we  can  be  as  one,  live  as  one,  dwell  together  as  one 
family;  no  rich,  no  poor,  no  hut  to  dwell  in,  no  cast  of  the 
slum  to  deaden  the  sense  of  justice;  then  "The  Church 
of  Christ"  will  be  that  light  on  a  hill.  Yes,  dear  reader, 
Zion  will  then  be  the  pure  in  heart  because  of  justice. 
One  home  for  each  to  dwell  in  comfort  under  proper 
conditions.  Law  is  impersonal,  and  its  highest  expres- 
sion is  that  of  service.  When  the  purified  heart  has  real- 
ized truth,  it  is  then  called  upon  to  make  the  last,  the 
greatest  and  holiest  sacrifice.  It  is  by  virtue  of  this  sacri- 
fice that  the  divinely  emancipated  soul  comes  to  dwell 
among  men,  clad  in  a  body  of  flesh,  content  to  dwell 
amongst  the  lowliest  and  least,  and  be  esteemed  the  ser- 
vant of  mankind. 

Men  immersed  in  self,  who  cannot  comprehend  the 
goodness  that  is  absolutely  and  impersonal,  deny  divinity 
to  all  saviours  except  their  own,  and  thus  introduce  per- 
sonal hatred  and  doctrinal  controversy;  and,  whilst  de- 
fending their  own  views  with  passion,  look  upon  each 
other  as  being  heathens  or  infidels,  and  so  render  null 
and  void,  as  far  as  their  lives  are  concerned,  the  unself- 
ish beauty  and  holy  grandeur  of  the  lives  and  teachings 
of  their  own  masters. 

Truth  cannot  be  limited ;  it  can  never  be  the  special 
prerogative  of  any  man,  school,  or  nation ;  and  when  per- 
sonality steps  in,  truth  is  lost.  Those  who  give,  yet  never 
think  of  receiving;  those  who  work  without  regretting 
the  past  or  anticipating  the  future,  and  never  look  for 
reward,  are  they  who  will  crown  eternal  truth.  They 
will  be  the  saviours  of  mankind ;  they  will  see  the  naked 
and  clothe  them;  they  can  see  the  hungry  and  feed 
them;  and  realize  the  need  to  give  drink  to  them  that 
are  athirst. 

Friends,  who  can  see  the  bread  of  life  come  down 
from  heaven  manifested  in  the  example  of  the  Christ? 
It  is  written,  the  earth  is  mine,  and  the  fulness  thereof; 
if  I  were  hungered,  would  I  ask  you,  surely  we  can  then 
see  beauty  in  the  law  of  service.  It  is  given  to  the  world 
to  learn  one  great  and  divine  lesson,  the  lesson  of  unself- 
ishness. The  saints,  sages  and  saviours  of  all  time  are 


THE   OLD    PATHS 


those  who  have  submitted  themselves  to  their  task.  All 
the  scriptures  in  the  world  are  framed  to  teach  this  one 
lesson ;  it  is  too  simple  for  the  world,  which,  scorning  it, 
stumbles  along  in  the  complex  ways  of  selfishness.  Then 
let  "The  reader  learn  the  lesson  of  saints  and  sages  by 
performing  His  work.  Are  you  doing  your  part?  If  so, 
we  will  hear  from  you  who  are  willing  to  co-operate  in 
this  great  work  of  Zion's  cause. 


CHAPTER  3 

RICHES— SELFISHNESS 

Mark  10:21-31:  "Then  Jesus,  beholding  him,  loved 
him,  and  said  unto  him:  One  thing  thou  lackest;  go  thy 
way;  sell  whatsover  thou  hast,  and  give  to  the  poor,  and 
thou  shalt  have  treasure  in  heaven;  and  come,  take  up 
thy  cross,  and  follow  me.  And  he  was  sad  because  of 
that  saying,  and  went  away  grieved;  for  he  had  great 
possessions.  And  Jesus  looked  round  about,  and  saith 
unto  his  disciples:  How  hardly  shall  they  that  have 
riches  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God!  And  the  disciples 
were  astonished  at  his1  words.  But  Jesus  answereth 
again,  and  saith  unto  them,  Children,  how  hard  is  it  for 
them  that  trust  in  riches  to  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
God!  It  is  easier  for  a  camel  to  go  through  the  eye  of 
a  needle  than  for  a  rich  man  to  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
God.  And  they  were  astonished  out  of  measure,  saying 
among  themselves,  Who  then  can  be  saved?  And  Jesus 
looking  upon  them  saith,  With  men  it  is  impossible,  but 
not  with  God ;  for  with  God  all  things  are  possible.  Then 
Peter  began  to  say  unto  Him,  Lo,  we  have  left  all,  and 
have  followed  thee.  And  Jesus  answered  and  saith, 
Verily,  I  say  unto  you,  There  is  no  man  that  hath  left 
houses,  or  brethren,  or  sisters,  or  father,  or  mother,  or 
wife,  or  children,  or  lands,  for  my  sake,  and  the  gospel's, 
but  he  shall  receive  an  hundred  fold  now  in  this  time, 
houses,  and  brethren,  and  sisters,  and  mothers,  and 
children,  and  lands,  with  persecutions;  and  in  the  world 

6 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


to  come,  eternal  life.     But  many  that  are  first  shall  be 
last,  and  the  last  first." 

In  quoting  from  these  sayings  of  Jesus  it  is  self-evi- 
dent that  he  did  not  approve  of  those  who  had  riches  to 
the  extent  that  they  would  hold  them  in  selfishness,  but 
rather  he  plainly  outlined  the  important  fact  that  the 
things  we  acquire  in  this  life  should  be  used  for  the  pur- 
pose of  assisting  and  helping  others  in  the  development 
of  better  conditions;  and  in  his  reference  to  the  "king- 
dom", it  is  plain  that  he  referred  to  a  condition  to  be 
established  by  mankind,  where  neither  rich  nor  poor 
should  exist;  but  that  all  might  have  an  equal  opportu- 
nity to  receive  of  the  abundance  of  life.  Now,  if  we  had 
preachers  in  this  day  who  would  use  their  energies  to  the 
end  of  bringing  about  this  condition,  instead  of  trying  to 
exalt  the  idea  of  a  life  beyond  the  bounds  of  time  and 
space,  the  people  would  soon  find  a  home  in  an  organi- 
zed body  that  would  sweep  the  civilized  nations  into  a 
body  of  respect  and  love  to  this  end.  We  then  hope  that 
all  believers  in  the  principles  taught  by  Jesus  will  unite 
together  and  not  continue  in  a  divided  condition ;  unite  in 
union  of  purpose  and  thought,  as  well  as  acton,  for  in 
this  only  can  there  be  united  strength  that  will  attain  to 
the  great  object  and  purpose,  namely,  "The  Church  of 
Christ." 


THE   OLD    PATHS 


CHAPTER  4 

PERFECT  LOVE  CASTETH  OUT  ALL  FEAR 

All  the  processes  of  the  body  are  carried  on  by  men- 
tal energy,  the  power  of  thought.  This  is  a  fundamental 
principle  of  the  very  highest  importance,  and  one  that 
God's  people  can  all  prove  for  themselves.  Think  of 
some  delicious  morsel  of  food,  the  mouth  fills  with  water. 
Think  of  bending  the  finger,  and  unless  stopped  by  a 
counter-thought  the  finger  bends.  Concentrate  your 
thought  intently  upon  your  right  hand  for  a  few  minutes, 
and  it  will  begin  to  tingle  and  fill  with  blood.  These 
are  very  simple  experiments,  but  they  prove  that  the 
power  that  produces  the  effects  originated  in  the  mind. 
For  instance,  you  have  learned  that  good,  causing  glad, 
cheerful  thinking,  makes  you  feel  better  and  stronger 
physically.  You  may  know  what  it  is  to  be  instantly  re- 
lieved of  bodily  feelings  of  pain,  depression,  weakness, 
loss  of  appetite,  and  illness,  by  the  receipt  of  some  cheer- 
ing information ;  as  to  the  unexpected  arrival  of  a  much 
beloved  relative  or  friend,  which  has  filled  your  mind 
with  happy  thoughts. 

You  have  all  noticed  many  times  the  rapid  improve- 
ment in  health  and  beauty  of  young  people  who  have 
made  the  happy  discovery  that,  in  their  case  at  least,  the 
course  of  true  love  does  run  smoothly.  You  may  have 
experienced  this  yourself.  On  the  other  hand,  you  have 
seen  the  cheeks  pale,  the  eyes  dull,  the  appetite  fail,  the 
body  waste,  and  sickness  and  even  death  follow  as  the 
result  of  grief,  disappointment,  fear,  shame,  hatred,  or 
some  other  unhappy  thoughts. 

First,  we  shall  consider  the  effect  upon  the  body  of 
thoughts  and  feelings  in  general.  Second,  the  effect  of 
thoughts  and  feelings  centered  upon  the  body  and  its 
parts  and  functions.  Upon  examination  of  the  first 
group,  we  find  that  it  is  very  naturally  divisible  into  two 
classes :  the  right  thoughts  and  feelings  and  their  results, 
and  the  wrong  thoughts  and  feelings  and  their  results. 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


I  clasify  these  mental  attitudes  and  processes  as  positive 
and  negative;  others  are  expansive  and  contractile.  It 
does  not  matter  very  much  what  we  call  them,  so  long 
as  we  understand  what  they  are,  and  how  to  cultivate 
the  right  kind  and  avoid  the  wrong  kind. 

The  first  and  most  important  of  the  good,  positive, 
or  expansive  thoughts  is  love.  In  its  highest,  best  and 
widest  sense,  love  is  the  foundation  of  them  all  and  in- 
cludes them  all.  He  who  loves  himself,  his  fellow  crea- 
tures, and  his  God,  will  have  courage,  faith,  hope,  pati- 
ence, contentment,  peace,  self-control,  poise,  power, 
purity,  cheerfulness,  joy,  happiness  and  all  the  rest  of 
the  positives 

This  is  not  a  treatise  on  ethics,  or  I  should  take  the 
space  to  show  how  this  is  true.  But  you  will  see  it  if  you 
think  it  out  carefully.  Now,  careful  experimentation  has 
shown  that  love  and  the  other  good  mental  processes  in- 
crease the  quantity  and  quality  of  mental  energy  avail- 
able for  the  performance  of  the  bodily  functions.  The 
result  of  this  increase  is  stronger  and  better  action  of  the 
heart  and  other  circulatory  organs;  quicker,  keener,  and 
more  trustworthy  work  of  the  brain  and  nerves;  more 
rapid,  thorough  and  efficient  digesting  and  assimilation 
of  food  by  the  alimentary  canal ;  more  perfect  and  more 
complete  elimination  of  wastes  and  poisons  by  the  pores 
of  the  skin,  kidneys  and  other  excretory  organs ;  greater 
air  capacity,  and  more  normal  oxygenation  of  the  blood 
by  the  lungs ;  and  richer,  purer  and  more  vital  blood,  the 
life  stream. 

All  this  means  that  the  body  can  do  more  work  with 
less  fatigue,  has  more  vitality,  energy,  and  beauty,  and  a 
much  higher  power  of  resistance  to  the  inroads  of  disease 
when  the  mental  condition  is  positive  of  expansive,  than 
when  it  is  negative  or  contractile. 

Cheapest  and  worst  among  all  the  negative  thoughts 
and  feelings  is  fear;  and  as  love  really  includes  all  the 
other  positive  thoughts,  so  fear  very  nearly  includes  all 
the  other  negative  thoughts.  The  man  who  has  fear  in 
his  heart  falls  very  easily  into  selfishness,  worry,  hatred, 
doubt,  despair,  discouragement,  impatience,  discontent, 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


anger,  intemperance,  impurity,  melancholy,  grief,  and 
misery.  These  thoughts  and  emotions  are  attitudes  of 
mind,  and  waste  and  weaken  mental  energy;  paralyze 
the  brain  and  shrivel  the  nerves,  contract  the  heart  and 
other  blood  vessels,  hinder  and  even  stop  altogether  the 
digestive  processes,  obstruct  the  work  of  the  eliminative 
organs,  cramp  and  restrict  the  chest  and  lungs,  actually 
cutting  down  the  amount  of  air  breathed,  and  impairing 
oxygenation ;  weaken  and  impoverish  the  blood,  in  many 
cases  generating  active  poisons  in  the  life  stream,  and 
thus  lower  the  vitality  and  resisting  power  of  the  whole 
organism.  Fear,  suspicion,  anger  and  grief  have  often 
worked  such  havoc  in  the  body  that  death  has  followed 
as  a  direct  and  immediate  result.  These  are  not  theories. 
They  are  scientifically  demonstrated  facts. 

You  want  to  know  how  to  get  free  from  bad,  nega- 
tive contractile  thoughts,  and  how  to  cultivate  the  good, 
positive,  expansive  kind?  There  are  two  ways,  and 
these  two  are  one.  They  may  be  stated  in  two  words: 
Think,  Do  Let  the  white  light  of  God  flow  through  you. 
Say,  "I  can  and  I  will."  Unite  with  the  true  body  of 
Christ  under  the  law  of  all  things  in  common  and  be  se- 
cure in  the  one  faith. 


10 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


CHAPTER  5 


ALL  THINGS  IN  COMMON 

«  In  order  that  Zion  may  be  established  in  accordance 
with  the  law  of  our  Saviour,  it  is  well  for  us  to  consider 
what  this  law  is,  and  then  apply  ourselves  to  the  same. 
In  the  16th  Chapter  of  Exodus,  we  notice  that  when 
bread  had  been  sent  from  heaven,  the  common  law  pre- 
vailed; and  therein  we  can  plainly  see  that  when  the 
bread  fell  from  heaven,  that  he  who  gathered  much,  had 
little;  and  he  that  had  little,  had  all  that  was  needed. 
In  other  words,  things  were  held  in  common  and  there 
were  neither  rich  nor  poor,  under  the  law  of  rules  which 
regulated  their  affairs. 

In  the  9th  Chapter  of  Nehemiah  we  will  notice 
especially  in  the  20th  verse,  that  God  withheld  not  the 
manna  from  their  needs ;  but  gave  them  land,  houses  and 
cities  to  dwell  in.  In  other  words,  it  is  very  plain  to  no- 
tice, and  especially  to  those  who  desire  to  do  so,  that 
the  common  law  of  all  things  being  equal  was  to  be  the 
order  as  understood  by  the  prophet. 

In  the  25th  Chapter  of  Leviticus  we  have  a  definite 
outline  showing  conditions  which  prevailed,  and  especi- 
ally in  the  9th  and  10th  verses,  the  year  of  jubilee  is  re- 
ferred to,  when  all  was  again  restored  and  every  one 
received  their  own.  In  the  24th  and  25th  verses  we  no- 
tice that  the  land  would  be  returned  even  if  the  heirs 
made  claim  for  the  same.  There  is  no  reason  to  believe 
that  those  who  are  honestly  seeking  the  truth  can  see 
here  that  there  was  a  working  system  wherein  men  were 
about  to  take  the  advantage,  and  to  take  the  property 
from  others,  because  of  their  smooth  way  of  speculating 
and  accumulating;  and  for  this  purpose  every  50th  year 
was  set  aside  when  everything  should  be  restored  to  its 
original  owner,  so  that  justice  and  equality  might  pre- 
vail. In  the  31st  verse  reference  is  made  especially  to 
the  money  lender;  that  he  should  take  no  usury  or  in- 
terest. We  can  readily  see  that  under  this  law  the  bor- 

11 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


rower  was  not  made  a  slave  to  the  lender,  as  under  the 
present  condition.  Today  we  find  that  many  times  the 
poor  pay  usury  or  interest  which  sometimes  verges  on 
to  straightout  robbery. 

In  the  20th  Chapter  of  Mathew,  1st  to  60th  verses, 
Christ  refers  to  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  likens  it  urvto 
the  laborers  who  went  out  into  the  harvest  field  or  vine- 
yard and  labored  for  a  penny  a  day.  Those  who  went 
out  in  the  first  hour  received  a  penny.  Those  who  went 
out  in  the  3rd  hour  received  a  penny.  Those  who  went 
out  to  their  labor  in  the  6th  and  9th  and  llth  hours  all 
received  the  same  compensation.  By  this  we  can  readily 
see  that  our  Lord  had  no  intention  but  what  all  should 
share  equally;  and  when  anyone  was  converted  to  the 
Gospel  and  had  yielded  obedience  thereto,  he  became  as 
one  family  of  God  and  shared  equally  in  all  things  com- 
mon, inasmuch  as  he  complied  with  the  law  of  Christ. 

In  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  2nd  Chapter,  44th  verse, 
it  is  plain  that  under  the  teachings  of  the  law  of  Christ, 
the  Apostles  recognized  this  law ;  for  they  had  all  things 
in  common;  and  they  that  had  possessions,  sold  them; 
and  great  fear  came  upon  them  when  they  saw  how  far 
from  God  they  had  strayed,  and  how  short  they  had 
come  to  complying  with  this  great  principle  of  the  com- 
mon law.  Again  in  the  4th  Chapter  of  the  Acts,  32nd 
verse,  we  notice  that  they  held  all  things  in  common.  No 
one  claimed  anything  was  his  own,  and  no  one  lacked, 
but  all  had  plenty.  Again  in  the  5th  Chapter  and  the 
1st  verse  of  Acts  we  notice  that  when  Ananias  and  his 
wife  kept  back  part  of  the  price  of  their  possessions 
which  they  had  sold,  they  were  condemned  to  death. 
The  fact  is,  that  there  can  be  no  inequality  in  the  king- 
dom of  God.  There  is  no  individual  who  can  claim  an 
inheritance  over  and  above  his  brother. 

There  has  been  nothing,  nor  is  there  anything  in 
the  world  to  go  back  of  the  principles  of  the  Gospel  of 
Christ  and  the  law  of  all  things  in  common.  The  spirit- 
ual and  material  law  should  be  combined;  the  whole 
world  should  receive  the  benefits  of  this  law.  Zion  must 
be  a  light,  a  city  set  on  a  hill,  so  that  the  radiance  of  its 

12 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


light  will  shine  by  active  demonstration,  by  the  people 
who  are  willing  to  carry  out  the  great  ideal,  so  that 
through  this  light,  not  only  a  few,  but  the  whole  world 
may  be  saved.  Religion  that  is  not  for  the  uplifting  of 
the  common  masses,  is  not,  and  cannot  represent  the 
Christ.  A  condition  must  be  provided  under  the  laws 
of  ALL  THINGS  IN  COMMON,  where  both  rich  and 
poor  may  find  rest.  The  rich,  who  are  in  slavery  and 
bondage  but  do  not  know  it,  should  be  released  from  this 
condition.  The  poor,  who  live  in  the  hovel  or  hut  in  the 
dark  and  damp  basement  or  in  the  shacks  at  our  great 
camps,  must  be  taught,  must  be  released.  The  middle 
class,  as  it  is  termed,  who  are  in  sorrow  and  mourning, 
afflicted  with  the  disease  of  unrest  and  discontent,  must 
have  a  haven  of  rest,  a  release  of  their  condition  of  bond- 
age. There  can  be  no  faction  in  religion  or  the  body 
politic,  there  must  be  one  body,  viz:  One  Faith,  One 
Lord,  One  Baptism,  One  God,  who  is  in  you  all  and 
through  you  all  and  above  you  all.  The  Saviour  of  men 
came  that  we  might  have  life,  and  that  more  abundantly. 


13 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


CHAPTER  6 


JESUS  IS  COMING 

Do  you  realize  the  importance  of  this  great  question? 
that  Jesus  is  coming  to  the  earth  again  to  begin  the 
Reign  of  Peace  and  Righteousness,  when  wickedness, 
wars  and  bloodshed  on  the  earth  will  end? 

It  is  the  one  important  theme  of  the  Old  Testament 
prophets,  and  of  the  apostles.  The  apostles  preached 
faith  in  Christ  and  repentance,  that  our  sins  may  be 
blotted  out  forever  WHEN  HE  COMES;  for  that  is  the 
time  when  the  short-comings  of  the  righteous  are  to 
be  blotted  out  forever,  and  their  final  redemption  ac- 
complished. 

Before  Jesus  comes,  the  Gentile  nations  of  the  earth 
must  reach  their  "times"  or  "fulness."  Their  cup  of 
iniquity  must  be  full.  The  Lord  is  going  to  let  the  so- 
called  civilized  nations  of  the  earth  reach  their  limit  in 
sin.  They  are  at  war  because  they  have  forgotten  God. 
Their  secret  or  hidden  sins  are  many.  They  have  made 
wonderful  progress,  harnessing  the  power  that  moves 
the  universe,  electricity,  producing  marvelous  inventions 
for  the  convenience  of  mankind.  We  push  the  button 
today  and  it  is  done.  We  operate  the  wireless  instru- 
ment and  converse  through  space  across  the  ocean.  And 
men  are  taking  the  credit  and  glory  of  all  these  things 
unto  themselves,  saying,  We  have  accomplished  all  this 
by  our  own  power  and  wisdom.  They  are  conducting 
the  affairs  of  State  in  their  own  power  and  wisdom. 
They  are  not  looking  to  God  who  has  blessed  and  pros- 
pered them  so  abundantly  for  many  years  past.  As  na- 
tions, they  have  forgotten  the  God  who  created  them, 
and  there  is  woe,  sorrow  and  trouble  in  store  for  them 
unless  they  repent. 

Matt.  16:26-27 — He  will  come  in  the  glory  of  his 
Father. 

Matt.  19:28 — He  will  sit  on  the  throne  of  his  glory. 

Matt.  24:3-51 — To  his  apostles,  Jesus  goes  into  the 

14 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


details  of  his  second  coming,  telling  them  the  signs  of 
the  times. 

Matt.  25:1-13 — Parable  of  the  wise  and  foolish 
virgins. 

Matt.  25:14-30 — Parable  of  the  talents. 

Matt.  25:31-46 — He  will  judge  all  people  when  he 
comes. 

Matt.  26 :64 — **Ye  shall  see  the  Son  of  man  sitting 
on  the  right  hand  of  power,  and  coming  in  the  clouds 
of  heaven." 

Mark  8 :38 — All  who  are  ashamed  of  him  now, 
"shall  the  Son  of  man  be  ashamed  when  he  cometh  *  * 
with  his  holy  angels." 

Mark  13:3-37 — To  his  apostles,  he  goes  into  the 
details  of  his  second  coming,  telling  them  the  signs  of 
the  times. 

Mark  14:62 — He  will  come  in  the  clouds  of  heaven. 

Luke  9:26 — He  will  be  ashamed  of  all  those  who 
are  ashamed  of  him  in  this  world. 

Luke  12:35-48 — Have  your  lights  trimmed  and 
burning  when  he  conies. 

Luke  13 :34-35 — "O  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  which 
killeth  the  prophets  *  *  ye  shall  not  see  me  until  the 
time  come  when  ye  shall  say,  Blessed  is  he  that  cometh 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord." 

Luke  17:20-37 — To  the  wicked,  his  coming  will  be 
sudden  and  unexpected. 

Luke  18:27> — Little  faith  on  the  earth  when  he 
comes. 

Luke  19:11-27 — The  ten  talents,  gone  to  receive  a 
kingdom  and  return. 

21 :7-36 — To  his  apostles,  he  goes  into  details  of  his 
second  coming,  telling  them  the  signs  of  the  times. 

John  14:3 — His  promise  to  come  again  and  receive 
the  righteous. 

John  14:18 — He  will  come  again  to  the  righteous. 

John  21 :28 — He  will  go  away  and  come  again. 

John  21 : 2 1-24 — If  John  tarries  till  he  comes  again. 

Acts  1:9-11 — As  he  ascended  into  heaven  in  body, 
so  will  he  come  again  to  the  earth  in  body. 

15 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


Acts  3:19-21 — His  coming  is  the  times  of  restitu- 
tion of  all  things,  spoken  of  by  all  of  the  prophets  since 
the  world  began. 

I  Thes.  3:13 — Be  faithful,  unblamable,  "at  the  com- 
ing of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  with  all  his  saints." 

I  Thess.  4:13-18 — "We  which  are  alive  and  remain 
shall  be  caught  up  together  with  them  in  the  clouds,  to 
meet  the  Lord  in  the  air." 

I  Thess.  5:1-10 — "Ye,  brethren,  are  not  in  darkness, 
that  that  day  should  overtake  you  as  a  thief." 

1  Thess.   5:23 — "Be  preserved  blameless  unto  the 
coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

2  Thess.  1:7-10 — "Shall  be  revealed  from  heaven 
with  his  mighty  angels." 

2  Thess.  2:1-12 — That  wicked  destroyed  with  the 
brightness  of  his  coming. 

1  Tim.  6:13-15 — Keep  the  commandment  "until  the 
appearing  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

2  Tim.  4:1 — He  will  judge  the  people  at  his  appear- 
ing. 

2  Tim.  4:8 — A  crown  for  all  that  love  his  appearing. 

Titus  2:11-15 — His  coming  is  our  blessed  hope. 

Heb.  9 :24-28— "Them  that  look  for  him  shall  he 
appear  the  second  time",  unto  salvation. 

Heb.  10:22-25 — Exhort  one  another  to  love  and 
good  works,  so  much  the  more  as  ye  see  the  day  ap- 
proaching. 

Rev.  16:15 — He  will  come  as  a  thief  to  the  wicked, 
but  blessed  are  the  righteous  who  watch  and  wait  for 
him. 

Rev.  22 :20 — "Even  so,  come  Lord  Jesus." 

The  last  words  in  the  Bible  are  these:  "Even  so, 
come,  Lord  Jesus.  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
be  with  you  all.  Amen." 

Do  you  not  see,  dear  reader,  how  important  it  is  for 
us  to  look  forward  to  this  blessed  hope  of  the  coming 
of  our  Lord  to  establish  peace  and  righteousness  on  the 
earth,  when  wars,  sin  and  wickedness  will  cease?  Broth- 
er, are  you  ready  for  his  coming? 


16 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


CHAPTER  7 

THE  APOSTOLIC  OFFICE  IS 
PERPECTUAL  IN  THE  CHURCH  OF  CHRIST 

In  the  Church  of  Christ  we  teach  that  the  Apostolic 
Office  was  intended  to  be  perpetual.  The  Apostolic 
Office  comes  first;  the  Prophetic  Office,  next;  the 
Teaching  Office,  next.  The  Church  of  Christ  cannot  be 
Christian,  and  cannot  be  universal,  unless  it  is  Apostolic. 
It  is  our  duty  to  declare  that  the  Church  shall  be  so 
organized.  We  have  nothing  to  do  with  consequences. 
God  will  call  His  Apostles  in  His  Own  time  and  way,  by 
the  Holy  Spirit,  through  the  Elders  in  His  Church. 

We  have  the  names  of  the  first  twelve  apostles: 
Matthew  10:2-4  James,  the  son  of  Zebedee,  and  John 
his  brother;  Philip,  and  Bartholomew;  Thomas,  and 
Matthew  the  publican ;  James,  the  son  of  Alphaeus,  and 
Lebbaeus,  whose  surname  was  Thaddaeus;  Simon  the 
Cananite,  and  Judas  Iscariot,  who  also  betrayed  Him. 

The  thirteenth  Apostle  was  Matthias;  (Acts  1:26.) 

The  fourteenth  Apostle  was  James,  the  brother  of 
the  Lord.  Paul  says,  in  Galatians  1:19:  "But  of  the 
other  apostles  saw  I  none,  save  James  the  Lord's  broth- 
er." James,  the  brother  of  the  Lord,  was  a  new  Apostle, 
because,  in  the  Apostolic  Band  there  were  two  named 
James,  and  neither  of  them  was  a  son  of  Mary ;  because 
one  was  James,  the  son  of  Alphaeus,  and  the  other  was 
James,  the  brother  of  John;  and  both  James  and  John 
were  sons  of  Zebedee.  Therefore,  neither  of  the  two 
named  James  in  the  Apostolic  Band,  while  Christ  was 
living,  was  the  brother  of  the  Lord.  On  the  contrary, 
we  have  the  statement  in  Scripture  that  after  He  called 
the  first  twelve  (Mark  3:21),  Jesus'  brothers  did  not 
believe  in  Him.  He  had  four  brothers  (Mark  6:3), 
James,  Joses,  Judas  (or  Jude),  and  Simon,  sons  of  Mary; 
and  also  sisters.  These  four  brothers  of  our  Lord  were 
not  believers  in  Him,  apparently,  until  after  His  death,  or 
thereabout,  when  they  became  believers  in  Him  and  were 

17 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


among  His  diciples  in  the  upper  room  on  the  day  of  Pen- 
tecost. (Acts  1:14).  Paul  came  up  to  Jerusalem  about 
four  years  after  that  time  and  found  that  James,  the 
brother  of  the  Lord,  was  an  apostle.  So  that  the  four- 
teenth Apostle  is  James,  the  brother  of  the  Lord. 

The  fifteenth  and  sixteenth  Apostles  are  Barnabas 
and  Saul.  "Now  there  were  in  the  church  that  was  at 
Antioch  certain  prophets  and  teachers ;  as  Barnabas,  and 
Simeon  that  was  called  Niger,  and  Lucious  of  Gyrene, 
and  Manaen,  who  had  been  brought  up  with  Herod,  the 
Tetrarch,  and  Saul.  As  they  ministered  to  the  Lord,  and 
fasted,  the  Holy  Ghost  said,  Separate  me  Barnabas  and 
Saul  for  the  work  whereunto  I  have  called  them.  And 
when  they  had  fasted  and  prayed,  and  laid  their  hands 
on  them,  they  sent  them  away."  (Acts  13:1-3.)  From 
that  moment  they  became  Apostles.  They  were  sent 
away  as  Apostles,  and  they  were  called  Apostles 
throughout  the  whole  of  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles.  Bar- 
nabas is  called  an  Apostle  just  as  much  as  Paul.  Saul's 
name  was  changed  to  Paul.  Barnabas  and  Saul  were 
not  elected  at  Jerusalem  to  be  Apostles;  they  were 
chosen  by  God,  and  were  ordained  by  Him,  through  the 
Elders  (Prophets)  and  Teachers,  eleven  years  after 
Christ's  resurrection,  Saul  was  only  a  teacher  and 
prophet  for  ten  years  after  his  conversion,  and  eleven 
years  after  Christ's  reascension  he  became  an  Apostle  by 
the  Act  of  the  Holy  Spirit  calling  him  out  from  the  second 
and  third  ranks  of  the  first  three  offices  of  the  Church, 
the  Elders  and  Teachers.  Now  we  have  Matthias,  and 
James  the  brother  of  the  Lord,  and  Barnabas  and  Saul — 
four  new  Apostles  who  took  places  vacated  by  death  in 
the  Apostolic  Order. 

The  seventeenth  Apostle  was  Apollos.  In  1  Corin- 
thians, Fourth  Chapter,  and  sixth  to  ninth  verses,  Paul 
says:  "And  these  things,  brethren,  I  have  in  a  figure 
transferred  to  myself  and  to  Apollos  for  your  sakes; 
that  ye  might  learn  in  us  not  to  think  of  men  above  that 
which  is  written ;  that  no  one  of  you  be  puffed  up  for  one 
against  another.  For  who  maketh  thee  to  differ  from 
another?  and  what  hast  thou  that  thou  didst  not  re- 

18 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


ceive?  now  if  thou  didst  receive  it,  why  dost  thou  glory, 
as  if  thou  hadst  not  received  it?  Now  ye  are  full,  now 
ye  are  rich,  ye  have  reigned  as  kings  without  us:  and  I 
would  to  God  ye  did  reign,  that  we  also  might  reign  with 
you.  For  I  think  that  God  hath  set  forth  us  the  apostles 
last,  as  it  were  appointed  to  death;  for  we  are  made  a 
spectacle  unto  the  world,  and  to  angels,  and  to  men." 

The  eighteenth  and  nineteenth  Apostles  were  An- 
dronicus  and  Junias.  Salute  Andronicus  and  Junias,  my 
kinsmen,  and  my  fellow  prisoners,  who  are  of  note 
among  the  Apostles,  who  also  were  in  Christ  before  me. 
(Romans  16:7.) 

The  twentieth  Apostle  was  Epaphroditus  (Philip- 
pians)  2:25)  :  "Yet  I  supposed  it  necessary  to  send  to 
you  Epaphroditus,  my  brother,  and  companion  in  labor, 
and  fellow-soldier,  but  your  messenger,  and  he  who  min- 
istered to  my  wants."  The  word  "messenger",  in  the 
margin  of  the  revised  version,  is  translated  "Apostle", 
and  it  ought  to  have  been  put  in  the  text. 

The  twenty-first  Apostle  was  Jude — "the  servant  of 
Jesus,  the  Christ,  and  the  brother  of  James."  He  is  gen- 
erally considered  to  be  one  of  the  brothers  of  our  Lord, 
and  is  the  writer  of  one  of  the  Epistles  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment, which  would  have  no  claim  to  infallible  authority 
if  it  were  not  the  writing  of  an  Apostle. 

1st  Thessalonians  2:6  unquestionably  mentions  Sil- 
vanus  and  Timotheus  as  Apostl  es  of  Christ.  If  you  will 
read  the  first  verse  of  1st  Thessalonians,  the  first  chap- 
ter, you  will  observe  that  it  begins :  "Paul  and  Silvanus, 
and  Timotheus,"  and  then  in  the  sixth  verse  of  the  second 
chapter  we  have  the  expression — "We  (meaning  Paul, 
Silvanus,  and  Timotheus)  might  have  been  burdensome, 
as  the  Apostles  of  Christ."  These  two  would,  therefore, 
make  the  number  twenty-three. 

There  is  still  another  Apostle  mentioned,  namely, 
Titus — in  11  Corinthians  8:23:  "Whether  any  do  in- 
quire of  Titus,  he  is  my  partner  and  fellow  helper  con- 
cerning you ;  or  our  brethren  be  inquired  of,  they  are  the 

19 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


messengers  (Apostles)  of  the  churches,  and  the  glory  of 
Christ." 

From  the  above  quotations  of  Scripture,  you  will 
observe  that  TWENTY-FOUR  APOSTLES  are  men- 
tioned in  the  New  Testament. 

I  have  given  the  above  information  for  the  purpose 
of  showing  unto  all  those  who  are  interested  in  the  cause 
of  right,  and  to  further  verify  the  fact,  that  there  can 
be  no  higher  office  in  the  Church  of  Christ  on  earth  than 
the  twelve  apostles.  And  furthermore,  it  has  been  dem- 
onstrated by  fact  that  the  proper  manner  of  choosing  is 
by  the  casting  of  lots  from  among  the  Elders  in  the 
Church  of  Christ  at  a  general  Conference  or  Assembly 
of  the  body.  And  any  church  builded  upon  any  other 
foundation  is  not  the  church  that  was  instituted  by  Jesus 
Christ. 


20 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


CHAPTER  8 

Melchisedek  was  ordained  a  Priest  (or  Elder)  after 
the  Son  of  God,  not  by  decent  from  father  and  mother. 
And  all  those  that  are  ordained  unto  this  Priesthood  are 
like  unto  the  Son  of  God,  abiding  a  Priest  continually. 
(See  Heb.  7-3).  Acts  14-23:  "And  when  they  had  or- 
dained them  elders  in  every  church,  and  had  prayed  with 
fasting,  they  commended  them  to  the  Lord,  on  whom 
they  believed."  Titus  1-5 :  "For  this  cause  left  I  three 
in  Crete,  that  thou  shouldest  set  in  order  the  things  that 
are  wanting,  and  ordain  elders  in  every  city,  as  I  had  ap- 
pointed thee."  In  the  above  we  believe  anyone  can  un- 
derstand that  the  office  of  Elder  is  the  highest  order  in 
the  Melchisedek  priesthood  and  there  is  equal  authority 
with  the  elders,  no  one  having  predominance  one  over 
another.  "And  he,  Christ,  is  the  head  of  the  body  of  the 
church:  Who  is  the  beginning,  the  first  born  from  the 
dead,  that  in  all  things  he  might  have  the  preeminence. 
For  it  pleased  the  Father  that  in  him  should  all  fulness 
dwell."  Col.  1-18-19.)  There  can  be  no  other  head  to 
the  body ;  the  Church  of  Christ  in  Him  alone  can  we  have 
that  safeguard  to  direct  us  in  the  right  way  for  many 
men  have  devised  ways  to  lead  those  that  do  not  trust 
in  Him.  We  must  be  sure  that  we  are  called  of  God  be- 
fore we  assume  the  authority  to  represent  Him  in  the 
things  that  pertain  to  our  salvation.  "But  I  certify  you, 
brethren,  that  the  Gospel  which  was  preached  of  me  is 
not  after  man.  For  I  neither  received  it  of  man,  neither 
received  I  it,  but  by  the  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ."  (Gal. 
1-11).  "And  they  prayed,  and  said,  Thou,  Lord,  which 
knowest  the  hearts  of  all  men  shew  whether  of  these 
two  Thou  hast  chosen."  (Acts  1-24),  and  they  gave 
forth  their  lots :  (cast  lots)  and  the  lot  (vote)  fell  upon 
Matthias ;  and  he  was  numbered  with  the  eleven  apostles. 
"And  God  hath  set  some  in  the  Church  first,  apostles, 
secondarily  prophets."  (1  Cor.  12-28.)  Go  ye  therefore, 
and  teach  all  nations,  teaching  them  to  observe  all  things 
whatsoever  I  have  commanded  you  and  lo,  I  am  with  you 

21 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


always  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.  Matt. 
(28-19-20). 

In  the  Church  of  Christ  there  are  twelve  elders 
chosen  by  the  membership  at  each  annual  conference,  or 
sustained  if  the  conference  desires,  to  act  as  a  governing 
head  looking  after  the  church  in  a  general  way,  giving 
council  and  advice.  But  at  any  time  anyone  of  said 
elders  would  not  be  approved  of  by  the  body  in  annual 
conference  they  would  take  their  regular  place  among 
the  elders.  In  Matthew  10-1-4  it  is  plain  that  Christ 
chose  twelve  men  to  act  at  the  head  of  the  body  and  in 
Acts  1-23-26  and  Heb.  3-1  the  reference  is  made  pertain- 
ing to  an  apostle  and  high  priest  of  our  profession,  Christ 
Jesus;  for  this  man  was  counted  worthy  of  more  glory 
than  Moses,  inasmuch  as  he  builded  the  house,  and  is  the 
only  direct  head  of  the  body  or  the  house  or  church, 
whose  house  or  church  we  are,  if  we  hold  fast  the  confi- 
dence and  the  rejoicing  of  the  firm  hope  unto  the  end. 

Luke  10-1-2.  "After  these  things  the  Lord  ap- 
pointed other  seventy  also,  and  sent  them  two  and  two 
before  His  face  into  every  city  and  place,  whither  He 
Himself  would  come."  "Therefore  said  He  unto  them, 
The  harvest  truly  is  great,  but  the  labourers  are  few; 
pray  ye  therefore  the  Lord  of  the  harvest,  that  he  would 
send  forth  labourers  into  His  harvest."  Elders  may  be 
chosen  as  seventies,  or  Evangelists;  at  each  annual  con- 
ference to  do  missionary  work,  but  when  this  mission  is 
performed  they  again  take  their  place  among  the  elders 
in  local  work. 

Priests.  (Luke  1-5).  Men  may  be  chosen  to  act  as 
priests,  to  be  assistants  and  associates  of  the  elders;  but 
not  to  preside,  neither  to  administer  in  the  ordinances  of 
the  gospel,  except  as  assistance  in  teaching,  administer- 
ing the  sacrament,  or  doing  pastoral  work,  as  wisdom 
may  direct  by  the  elder  or  pastor  in  charge  of  any 
branch  of  the  Church  of  Christ. 

Teachers.  In  Hebrew  4-11  we  find  that  teachers 
are  provided  for  in  the  Church  of  Christ  and  we  believe 
that  teachers  are  chosen  and  set  aside  both  from  among 
competent  men  and  women  in  the  various  churches  for 

22 


THE   OLD    PATHS 


the  teaching  of  Bible  study  classes,  music  or  other  vari- 
ous matters  pertaining  to  the  work  of  Christ.  They 
also  have  charge  and  oversight  of  amusements  both  for 
the  physical  good  and  for  the  spiritual  uplift  of  the 
young  of  the  church. 

Bishops.  1  Tim.  3-1-4.  "This  is  a  true  saying:  If 
a  man  desire  the  office  of  a  bishop,  he  desireth  a  good 
work."  "A  bishop  then  must  be  blameless,  the  husband 
of  one  wife,  vigilant,  sober,  of  good  behaviour,  given 
to  hospitality,  apt  to  teach ;  Not  given  to  wine,  no  striker, 
not  greedy  of  filthy  lucre;  but  patient,  not  a  brawler, 
not  covetous;  One  that  ruleth  well  his  own  house,  hav- 
ing his  children  in  subjection  with  all  gravity." 

You  will  also  notice  in  Acts  6-1-3  that  seven  men 
were  chosen  and  set  aside  which  are  to  have  the  finan- 
cial oversight  of  the  Church  of  Christ  and  we  believe 
seven  bishops  should  be  chosen  who  would  counsel  and 
direct  the  material  affairs  of  the  church. 

1  Tim.  3-8-13.  "Likewise  must  the  deacons  be 
grave,  not  doubletongued,  not  given  to  much  wine,  not 
greedy  of  filthy  lucre ;  Holding  the  mystery  of  the  faith 
in  a  pure  conscience.  And  let  these  also  first  be  proved ; 
then  let  them  use  the  office  of  a  deacon,  being  found 
blameless.  Even  so  must  their  wives  be  grave,  not  slan- 
derers, sober,  faithful  in  all  things.  Let  the  deacons  be 
the  husbands  of  one  wife,  ruling  their  children  and  their 
own  houses  well.  For  they  that  have  used  the  office  of 
a  deacon  well  purchase  to  themselves  a  good  degree,  and 
great  boldness  in  the  faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus." 

We  hold  that  wise  men  in  every  church  should  be 
chosen,  to  have  charge  of  the  finances  and  to  look  after 
the  church  property  and  to  make  monthly  statements 
and  reports  to  the  bishops  of  all  financial  matters;  and 
also  to  see  after  the  poor  and  needy,  and  to  see  that 
there  is  no  suffering  among  the  membership  and  to  help 
the  bishops  in  carrying  out  the  order  of  equality  in  the 
church  as  a  whole.  Neither  bishops  nor  deacons  are 
chosen  as  ministers  or  to  look  after  the  spiritual  affairs 
of  the  church,  as  their  duty  is  only  pertaining  to  the 
material  and  to  the  business  affairs  of  the  Church  of 

23 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


Christ. 

Heb.  5-4-6.  "And  no  man  taketh  this  honour  unto 
himself,  but  he  that  is  called  of  God,  as  was  Aaron." 
"So  also  Christ  glorified  not  Himself  to  be  made  an  high 
priest."  Romans  10-14-15.  "How  then  shall  they  call 
on  Him  in  whom  they  have  not  believed?  and  how  shall 
they  believe  in  Him  of  whom  they  have  not  heard?  and 
how  shall  they  hear  without  a  preacher?  And  how 
shall  they  preach,  except  they  be  sent?  as  it  is  written, 
How  beautiful  are  the  feet  of  them  that  preach  the 
gospel  of  peace,  and  bring  glad  tidings  of  good  things." 
All  elders  are  to  be  called  of  God  by  spiritual  manifesta- 
tion through  other  elders;  but  no  elder  can  serve  unless 
there  has  been  a  vote  of  the  church  in  which  he  holds 
his  membership,  and  by  final  approval  of  the  quorum  of 
twelve. 

A  general  secretary  shall  be  chosen  by  the  annual 
conference  to  have  charge  of  the  general  office  of  the 
church.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  keep  a  general  record 
of  the  membership,  also  to  keep  a  historical  record  of 
the  general  church,  and  to  keep  a  complete  file  of  all 
matters  pertaining  to  the  church  as  a  whole.  He  shall 
choose  such  assistance  as  is  necessary  to  do  his  work. 

A  church  may  be  organized  where  twelve  or  more 
members  exist  in  one  place  over  8  years  of  age.  Each 
church  shall  choose  an  elder  as  their  pastor,  to  have  the 
spiritual  oversight  of  said  church;  and  shall  choose  a 
deacon  to  have  charge  of  the  material  affairs.  Other 
assistants,  as  priests  and  teachers,  may  be  chosen  as 
wisdom  may  direct. 

The  first  duty  of  the  various  branches  shall  be  to 
provide  homes  for  each  of  its  members,  in  order  to  elim- 
inate the  question  of  the  poor  and  needy,  so  equality 
may  be  carried  out  in  the  common  law  as  fast  as  pos- 
sible. The  deacon  of  each  church  chosen  shall  make  a 
complete  monthly  report  to  the  general  bishops.  The 
pastor  of  each  church  shall  make  a  complete  report  of 
the  spiritual  affairs  of  the  church  to  the  Twelve.  Such 
reports  to  be  made  on  the  first  of  each  month,  and  to 
be  filed  at  the  general  office  of  the  church,  as  a  whole 

24 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


for  record.  Reports  for  the  Twelve  and  Bishops  to  be 
mailed  to  the  general  office.  Anyone  may  become  a 
member  of  the  church  by  making  application  to  the  pas- 
tor of  the  church,  which  shall  be  sent  to  the  general 
secretary  for  approval,  and  to  be  passed  upon  by  the 
twelve.  Members  will  be  required  to  comply  with  the 
gospel  ordinances,  and  who  believe  in  the  atonement  of 
Christ,  and  are  willing  to  part  with  their  substance  in 
helping  to  provide  a  home  for  each  member  of  the 
Church  of  Christ.  Each  member  must  place  and  keep 
his  membership  with  the  nearest  church  to  his  or  her 
place  of  residence. 

Annual  conference  shall  be  held  of  the  general  or- 
ganization once  each  year,  beginning  with  the  first 
Tuesday  in  September.  Each  church  shall  send  one 
delegate  from  their  membership  whose  expenses  shall 
be  paid  by  said  church.  All  elders  are  ex-officio  mem- 
bers of  the  conference,  and  may  attend  and  have  a  right 
and  vote  in  each  annual  conference  if  they  so  desire. 

Acts  4-32.  "And  the  multitude  of  them  that  be- 
lieved were  of  one  heart  and  of  one  soul;  neither  said 
any  of  them  that  ought  of  the  things  which  he  possessed 
was  his  own;  but  they  had  all  things  in  common."  In 
order  to  carry  out  the  common  law  of  equality  in  the 
church,  the  first  duty  of  the  membership  of  each  church 
is  providing  a  home  for  each  member.  If  in  a  city,  the 
membership  should  live  in  one  locality  as  near  as  pos- 
sible, so  that  their  property  could  best  be  cared  for. 
The  church  may  provide  storehouses  or  transact  any 
other  business  that  may  be  for  the  common  good  of  the 
church.  Each  church  shall  contribute  to  the  general 
bishops  of  the  church,  for  the  purpose  of  building  up  a 
central  locality  and  in  providing  for  such  general  church 
institutions  that  will  work  for  the  good  of  the  whole; 
for  the  erecting  of  homes  for  the  aged,  for  the  widows 
and  orphans,  for  those  that  are  disabled,  for  general 
educational  purposes. 

As  we  have  been  asked  for  an  outline  in  bringing 
together  the  membership  in  one  body  in  the  Church  of 
Christ,  we  have  submitted  the  above  and  ask  everyone 

25 


THE   OLD   PATHS 


to  join  us  in  carrying  out  the  work  of  Christ  to  the  end 
that  all  may  be  led  to  believe  and  see  aright,  That  the 
material  law  and  the  spiritual  law  may  be  one  in  com- 
mon. In  order  to  end  the  autocracy  in  designing  men, 
who  for  selfish  interests  and  desires,  are  moved  upon 
by  the  impulse  of  the  moment  in  carrying  out  a  work 
that  is  not  in  harmony  with  the  law  taught  by  Christ. 
In  order  to  help  we  ask  each  member  and  friend  to 
order  and  distribute  this  book  as  widely  as  possible  and 
also  to  help  in  getting  applications  for  membership,  so 
that  the  organization  may  be  advanced  as  rapidly  as 
possible.  Trusting  and  hoping  for  the  final  triumph  of 
the  gospel  law  where  that  unison  love  and  the  common 
brotherhood  of  men  may  exist,  we  send  these  greetings. 
Address  all  communications  to 

JOHN  ZAHND,  Secretary 
P.  O.  Box  1022.  Kansas  City,  Missouri. 


26 


THE   OLD    PATHS 


APPLICATION  FOR  MEMBERSHIP  IN  THE 
CHURCH  OF  CHRIST 


Date 19 

Your  full  name 

Kesidence  address  

Your  age Date  of  birth 

Are  you  married? Children,  how  many? 

Full  name  of  your  husband  or  wife 

What  is  your  occupation  or  trade? 

What  nationality? 

What  language  do  you  speak? 

What  Church  have  you  been  a  member  of? 

What  political  affiliation?  

Remarks:   . 


Signed 

Town Street  No 

County  of State  of. 

27 


